Digital Access for only $0.99

"We had to celebrate on Feb. 28 for three years, so today is the first time it really is her birthday," said Gettys, the granny. "She was born just 15 minutes before March 1st.

"For us girls, this is a big deal - the biggest."

It's bigger still because, when she was 4 months old, Baylee contracted bacterial meningitis and had to fight for her life during a month in the hospital. She sure is a fighter and a smiler, too. She beat the sickness like a gong and came out giggling.

"We prayed for her birthday in our family," said Gettys. "We never knew how many she would have - or if she would even have one."

So Gettys took the day off from her job at Harold C. Johnson Elementary School in York, picked up Baylee from her mom, Lauren, and headed from Lake Wylie to Rock Hill for the best birthday ever.

"Girl stuff," said Baylee. "I'm a girl."

Baylee stomped, in her tiny sneakers with lights on them, into Vogue Spa & Salon late Wednesday morning, with her grandmother behind her wearing a T-shirt that said "My granddaughter was born February 29."

"I tried to get her to wear her black dressy shoes," said Gettys the granny.

"I wanted lights," said Baylee.

Baylee held court for a while, conducting her first interview in a life that will surely be filled with fame.